Psychophysiological

Psychophysiological refers to the study of how psychological processes are related to physiological responses. In psychology, psychophysiology investigates the links between mental states—such as emotion, attention, and arousal—and bodily activity including neural, autonomic, and endocrine systems. Researchers use psychophysiological measures to infer cognitive and affective processes from observable physiological signals.

Common methods include electroencephalography (EEG) to record brain activity; heart rate and heart rate variability; skin conductance (galvanic skin response); pupil dilation; respiration; electromyography; and neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). Experimental designs often involve presenting stimuli and recording responses across conditions, or correlating physiological changes with self-reported states. Data are typically analyzed in relation to task demands, emotional content, or temporal dynamics; however, measures are indirect indices and can be influenced by non-specific factors like temperature, movement, or fatigue.

Applications span basic research and applied settings. In research, psychophysiology contributes to understanding emotion, perception, cognition, memory, and stress. In clinical contexts, it supports assessment and monitoring of anxiety, mood disorders, and psychophysiological disorders. In human factors and ergonomics, it informs design of interfaces and work environments. Other areas include deception research and human–computer interaction, where physiological signals are used to study responses to stimuli. Interpreting psychophysiological data requires careful controls and multimodal approaches, since signals often reflect multiple overlapping processes.